Health care professionals are vital for their communities. But increasingly, rural health care is on life support. That’s why the University of Nebraska Medical Center is making rural health a priority. The Medical Center, in partnership with the University of Nebraska at Kearney, is in the middle of an ambitious new project: the Rural Health Education Building. Construction on the three story, 100-thousand square foot building began in fall of 2023. When it opens in 2026, the building will expand existing offerings to more than 300 students and strengthen the talent pipeline of health profess ..read more

A UNMC doctor, Andre Kalil, is using their specialized biocontainment facility in Omaha to lead the way in experimental testing for COVID-19. A drug treatment for coronavirus, remdesivir, was first tested at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. While studies are ongoing, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19. In this episode of Leading Nebraska, we take a look at the efforts to test remdesivir—and what inspires Andre Kalil to keep searching for effective treatments to COVID-19. For more stories or to access a transcript of t ..read more

For four months this year, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was in the hand sanitizer production business, under the leadership of Hunter Flodman, UNL associate professor of practice in chemical and biomedical engineering. In this episode of Leading Nebraska, we explore how Flodman and his team produced thousands of gallons of hand sanitizer for schools, hospitals, businesses and other organizations who needed it—and couldn't access it. For more stories or to access a transcript of this podcast, visit https://nebraska.edu/nuforne/hunter-flodman ..read more

There’s a shortage of healthcare professionals in many parts of the state. Thirteen out of Nebraska’s 93 counties don’t have a primary care physician and studies suggest the problem could get worse. In this episode of Leading Nebraska, we take a look at the shortage of health care professionals across the state — and how the university is working to fill that need. Brandon Drozd coordinates the Central Nebraska Area Health Education Center at UNK, a program designed to close the healthcare gap. Drozd and UNK are working to attract students to allied health fields. And, those efforts are paying ..read more

Dr. Gina Ligon is director of a new national center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, dedicated to counterterrorism. The center, NCITE, is funded by the Department of Homeland Security with the largest federal grant in University history. UNO, where the center is located, is the lead institution for the center's network of 18 partner institutions. In this episode of Leading Nebraska, we explore how Dr. Ligon and her team of expert researchers—both here in Nebraska and across the world—are keeping our country safe. For more stories or to access transcripts of this podcast, visit https://n ..read more

In this episode of "Leading Nebraska", we explore how the Nebraska Business Development Center reaches across the state to strengthen business and improve lives. Harold Sargus is a manager with the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. We trail him through a leadership training project with Hillcrest Health Services. In addition to leadership training, Sargus and NBDC offer assistance with business plans, technology transfer, market research services and more. As a statewide network of offices, NBDC provides boots on the ground to help Nebraska bus ..read more

Toni Rasmussen is a former farm kid who knows the pride of donning an FFA jacket. As a high schooler in Albion, Rasmussen was inspired by her ag education class, which propelled her to organize a goat enterprise for her family farm. Naturally, a career in ag education was a perfect next step for her. Thanks to the University of Nebraska—Lincoln, today she’s one of 200 full-time instructors across Nebraska teaching agriculture to high school students. To read more about Toni Rasmussen or to access a transcript, visit https://nebraska.edu/nuforne/toni-rasmussen. This show is based on a story wri ..read more

In order to grow Nebraska, we need more students to attend and graduate from college. That includes students who may be the first in their families to attend college or come from underrepresented populations. The Goodrich Scholarship program is a merit and need-based scholarship for students like these who attend the University of Nebraska at Omaha. It is cohort-based and includes academic and non-academic support services. Since 1972, the program has enabled more than 1,600 students to complete their education at UNO. Dr. Troy Romero, an organizational psychologist, leads the Goodrich Scholar ..read more

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Nebraska, and one in every three Nebraskans will hear the words “you have cancer” in their lifetime. A diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is especially devastating, as someone diagnosed with pancreatic cancer today has a 10% chance of living for five years. Dr. Kelsey Klute is determined to turn the tide. A gastrointestinal medical oncologist, she leads a UNMC research team studying new methods of treating pancreatic cancer. In this episode of “Leading Nebraska”, we talk with Kelsey Klute about how clinical trials and looking at novel ways to find and ..read more

University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineering professor Shane Farritor is the co-founder of Virtual Incision, a medical device company located at Nebraska Innovation Campus. He and his team have developed MIRA—a handheld, two-pound device that's inserted into the body for surgery. MIRA is also cost effective and affordable for hospitals. The robotic device is currently being tested for use in colon resections needed to treat gastrointestinal issues, like diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease. But Farritor sees a bigger role for his miniature robots. In this episode of “Leading Nebraska ..read more